By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 1: The UDP has welcomed the decision of Meghalaya and Assam governments to wind up the judicial inquiry commissions into the Mukroh firing incident of November last year and hand the case over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The decision to let the CBI register a case to maintain neutrality was taken at a Chief Minister-level meeting in Guwahati on Saturday.
Announcing the decision to wind up the commissions, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma had said Meghalaya officials did not cooperate with the Assam judicial commission and the Assam officials did not attend the hearing of the commission instituted by Meghalaya.
“If the commissions of Assam and Meghalaya were not able to, then let CBI come into the picture. That will be fairer,” UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said on Sunday.
According to him, the incident should be viewed seriously as people died and it created unnecessary enmity, hatred, anger and frustration.
“Dilly-dallying is not going to help. If the commissions cannot be conclusive and the CMs have decided (to hand the case over to CBI), then it would be in the best interest of both states and communities. We need to come up with facts and details and understand what is really going on in the border areas. People should know the truth,” he said.
Referring to recurring border tension, he said, “When both governments are trying to resolve the problem, these unfortunate events occur. You really need to understand so that you can make the process of talks more effective.”
Support to language
recognition demand
The UDP, which joined the demonstration in New Delhi for the inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, reiterated its full support to the Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS) for the cause.
“We need to sustain this effort. We appreciate the roles of KAS and different stakeholders. This is a cry of not only the legislators, everyone has been talking about this for many years,” Mawthoh said.
Stating that most top leaders of the UDP, including president Metbah Lyngdoh, Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh, other top office bearers and leaders of youth wing, are stationed in New Delhi, he said, “UDP has also been talking about this for many years…and this time around, all our top leaders are together in Delhi expressing their solidarity with the move of KAS.”
Mawthoh said it is very encouraging that political leaders, social organisations, pressure groups have all come together and taken the matter to Delhi.
“This move of KAS in bringing all political parties and stakeholders together is a very good step and we need to make more noise in Delhi,” he said.
Stating that the central government also lays emphasis on mother tongue, he said, “When we talk about education policy, what is important is that we respect diversity and enrich the cultural heritage. Language is a very important component of the culture of any race or ethnic group.”